05/21/2026
UPDATE:
Due to the tremendous outpouring of community support and enthusiasm, we are thrilled to announce that we have officially decided to move forward with our annual Cruz Nite!!
The response we’ve received has been truly overwhelming, and it’s clear how much excitement and encouragement exists within our community. Although we still won’t have fireworks at the event, your messages and shared memories from years past made us realize that gathering together is what Cruz Nite is all about.
Stay tuned for more details and be sure to save the date, Saturday, August 8th from 4-9!! Rain date Sunday, August 9th.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Hoosac Hose Company, after much consideration, has made the difficult decision to cancel our annual Cruz Nite and Fireworks event for 2026. This pause will allow us time to regroup and determine the best course of action for future events and fundraisers.
For more than thirty years, the community has come together in support of our annual summer event, with the fireworks show serving as the highlight of the evening. When Cruz Nite first began, proceeds from the event were enough to cover the cost of the fireworks display. Over the years, however, the rising cost of fireworks has made it increasingly difficult to cover that expense through event proceeds alone.
In 2025, the cost of the twenty-minute fireworks display rose to $8,500, forcing the Hoosac Hose Company to supplement the expense from its savings. This year, as planning began, we learned the cost had increased again to $12,500. We attempted to secure quotes from other companies, but found only higher prices, with some estimates reaching as much as $17,500.
At the quarterly business meeting of the Hoosac Hose Company on Monday, the membership unanimously voted to forego Cruz Nite this year. The generosity of the public and our business sponsors has been tremendous, and we want to remain good stewards of your donations. The cost of this year’s fireworks display would have completely negated not only the funds raised at Cruz Nite, but also the proceeds from our recent fundraising drive, pancake breakfast, and ice fishing derby combined.
The Hoosac Hose Company financially supplements the Town-funded portion of the Cheshire Fire Department. In recent years, Hose Company funds have been used to purchase dress uniforms for our membership and a snowmobile for winter rescues. Your donations have made those purchases, and countless other benefits to the department, possible. We know how essential it is to preserve our funds for future critical needs, and are making decisions with that knowledge in mind.
We are also mindful of our volunteers and the time they dedicate to our community. As the number of active firefighters and emergency responders has declined — similar to many other departments — the number of emergency calls has continued to increase. Our department is working to find a healthy balance between fundraising efforts and supporting the volunteers our community depends upon.
Please know how deeply appreciative we are of all you do to support the Hoosac Hose Company and Cheshire Fire Department. We are incredibly proud of our community, our dedicated volunteers, and their families. Thank you!
